Bergkirchweih

What to Expect at Bergkirchweih

Erlangen's Bergkirchweih — known locally simply as the Berg — is one of Franconia's most beloved and atmospheric beer festivals, held every year around Pentecost (late May/early June) on the slopes of the Burgberg, the hill that rises majestically behind Erlangen's baroque old town. The Berg consistently draws over one million visitors during its twelve-day run, making it one of the most heavily attended festivals in Bavaria relative to Erlangen's modest size (this is a university town of just 110,000 people hosting ten times that many guests). The secret to the Berg's enduring appeal is its unique setting: a natural amphitheater of ancient sandstone cellars carved into the Burgberg hillside, where five of Erlangen's traditional breweries serve their beer directly from the rock-hewn vaults where it was stored for centuries.

The five brewery cellars — Tucher, Eichbaum, Rittmayer, Drei Kronen, and Brauhaus Erlangen — each occupy their own distinctive section of the hillside, complete with stone tables under chestnut trees, views of the Erlangen skyline below, and fiercely loyal followings. Local families "reserve" their favorite cellar by leaving nameplates on the stone tables months in advance, a tradition dating back generations. During the festival, the entire hillside becomes a continuous open-air beer garden, stretching from one end of the Burgberg to the other. The atmosphere is convivial, earthy, and deeply Franconian: brass bands play from wooden platforms, children run between the stone tables, and the scent of grilled bratwurst and roasted almonds fills the evening air. The Bergkirchweih is, as locals say, "the most beautiful time of the year."

Getting There

Erlangen is easily reached from Munich by direct regional express train, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. ICE trains via Nuremberg take about 1 hour 45 minutes total (20 minutes from Nuremberg to Erlangen). The Burgberg cellars are a 15–20 minute walk from Erlangen station, through the beautiful baroque old town and up the hillside stairs that lead directly to the festival area. The walk itself is part of the experience — the path winds through residential streets and green spaces that give you a feel for one of Germany's most beautiful planned towns.

Nearby Attractions

• Erlangen Old Town (Baroque Ensemble): A rare example of a planned baroque city, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1706. The Hugenottenplatz, the Schlossgarten, and the symmetrical streets create an architectural ensemble unique in Bavaria.
• Burgberg Castle Ruins: Perched at the top of the hill above the festival cellars, the ruins of the medieval Burgberg offer panoramic views across the Franconian countryside on clear days.
• Schwabach: A charming nearby town famous for its gold-beating heritage (Schwabach is still one of the world's leading producers of gold leaf) and its beautifully preserved old town with medieval fortifications.
• Nuremberg: Just 20 minutes by train from Erlangen, the city's medieval old town, castle, and Christkindlesmarkt are essential additions to any Franconian itinerary.

Beer Pricing & Local History

Beer at Bergkirchweih costs approximately €8–€9 per Maß, making it one of the most affordable major beer festivals in Bavaria. The Bergkirchweih originated in 1755 as a church consecration festival (Kirchweih) tied to the small chapel on the Burgberg hill. Over time, the religious observance merged with the secular celebration of Franconian brewing tradition, as the breweries on the hillside opened their cellars to the public. The sandstone cellars themselves are a remarkable feat of historical engineering — dug by hand in the 16th through 18th centuries, they provided the cool, stable temperatures (around 8°C / 46°F) necessary for maturing beer before refrigeration was available. The tradition of serving beer above the cellars, under the shade of chestnut trees, began as a natural extension of this practice. Today, the Berg remains fiercely independent — it's not organized by the city or a corporate entity, but is run jointly by the five breweries and the Erlangen community, giving it an authenticity and warmth that larger festivals can't replicate.